Red Angel (3 page)

"I've been told to keep Anna under guard,"
he said to Adela, who shrugged. I was taken to a private room and undressed.
Then Renata went over every inch of my body as I held Red in one hand then the
other.

"Anna, I know you're tired and in pain, but would
you tell me what happened, just a brief synopsis."

"Three of the older boys attacked me and wanted
me to give them Red. When I wouldn't help grab Red, they started hitting me.
When one grabbed my throat, Red bit him and the other boy when he tried to
break my arm." Adela was right, I was tired and just giving that short
explanation exhausted me.

"That's consistent with her condition,"
Renata said. Adela nodded.

"I'm going to call you to testify, Renata. The
police have her tried and convicted without even asking her what happened. I'm
afraid she's got a tough life ahead of her."

* * *

Two days later, I was summoned to the police
headquarters, accompanied by Doctor Renata and Adela. In the room, there were
several rows of chairs separated into a left and right side by a path from the
door to a desk. The three boys sat in the first row on the right side, while
Mira and the policeman who came that night sat just behind them. I sat in the
first row on the left side, while Adela and Renata took the row behind me. Another
older policeman sat by himself toward the back of the room. A woman in a black
robe sat behind the desk surveying the room. She looked to be older than Adela.
After a sip of the water on a tray next to her, she spoke.

"I'm Magistrate Bellona. This is an official
inquiry into the incident two nights ago at Koria Hall to determine what if any
charges should be pursued. I caution everyone that these proceedings are being
video taped and what is said here can be used as evidence if formal charges
result in a trial." She paused to look at a tablet lying in front of her.
"Mistress Mira, would you tell me what you know of the events,"

"I was awakened by young Mannus ..." She
went on to explain being told two boys had received snakebites and
administering the antivenin. Bellona stopped her from repeating the boys’ story
as hearsay and not relevant, much to Mira's disappointment.

"Sergeant Soto, I have your recording of the boy’s
version of events, but I don't have the girl's," Bellona said, looking
from her tablet to the sergeant.

"I didn't take a statement from her—"

"And why not. Don't you like girls?" she
asked, but she didn't look amused.

"Well she caused the incident—"

Bellona held up her hand. "Were you there when
the incident occurred, Sergeant?"

"No ... Your Honor—" he stuttered,
then stopped when she raised a hand again. Bellona looked to the back of the
room.

"Chief, I hope your other officers are better
trained."

"I thought so, Your Honor, but I see I was wrong.
I'll see to correcting the problem."

Bellona checked her tablet and then scanned the front
row with the boys. "Now, young Donar, would you give me your version of
the fight and how it started?" Bellona said. Donar stood and accused me of
threatening them for months and of starting the fight when I found them alone
in the living room playing a game. Mannus and Sher followed with exactly the
same story.

Bellona nodded, and then looked at me.
"Interesting story. Anna, would you like to tell me your version?"

"Yes, Your Honor. I was studying in a corner of
the living room when ..." I went on to tell what happened. About half way
through my explanation, Donar jumped up and shouted.

"She's a liar—" He stopped when
Bellona put a finger to her lips.

"Please continue, Anna." After I finished,
she questioned Doctor Renata, who stated my injuries were consistent with my
version of the story.

"Given that Anna has a broken nose and bruises on
her arms, neck, and stomach, her story does sound more convincing. Donar, would
you like to revise your story?"

"No. She's a liar. She tried to kill us. That
snake should be killed." Donar's face was flushed red with anger.

"But that would result in her dying,"
Bellona said. I couldn't tell why she was asking the questions she was, but I
had a strong feeling—no a certainty—she was amused. Red was wrapped
around my throat with his head on my shoulder, appearing to watch the
proceeding.

"She deserves to die for trying to kill us,"
he said, and his face twisted in hate as he pointed his finger at me.

"What do you say, Anna. Are you a liar?"

"You already know who's lying," I blurted
out before I could stop and covered my mouth a bit too late. She gave a soft
laugh.

"How?"

"Because you're a lot smarter than us. We're just
kids. If you weren't, you would send us to the machine that can detect whether
we're lying." I had read about a machine being developed on old earth a
thousand years ago, so they must have one I reasoned. She smiled.

"And you would submit to a lie detector
test?"

"Yes, Your Honor, if it helps, I'd be glad
to."

"What about you Donar, Mannus, Sher?" she
asked to open-mouthed stares from the boys. After a couple of minutes, she
continued. "I'll take that for a
No
.
You'll have a written decision in a week, but I will give you my unofficial
version now. The boys started the fight and are lucky they got bit by the
krait; otherwise, I believe they would have gravely injured Anna Paulus, not
realizing the seriousness of what they were doing. I'm placing them on three
years’ probation. If any one of them comes before me in that period, there will
be an adult punishment. Anna is an innocent victim of Koria Hall. I'm
considering placing that institution on probation for permitting an environment
that caused this incident. Advocate Adela, Anna needs to be placed in a very
special environment. It's obvious that unjustified prejudice against her is
widespread: The children shun her, Mira assumed her guilty when she had never
caused any trouble, the sergeant
—
a
trained police officer
—
jumped
to the same conclusion. I plan to be involved in the final selection."

"Thank you, Magistrate. I fully agree and welcome
your involvement."

"I've three possible candidates, but I'd prefer
the couple with no children, which is the Bordans," Adela said. Magistrate
Bellona had requested we meet in her office to look over the selections. I
couldn't keep my eyes from the shelves of books on one wall of the room. There
looked to be hundreds, and I wished I could explore them. Bellona sat behind a
large wooden desk but wasn't wearing the black robe she had on the day of the
inquiry. At the moment, she was looking in my direction.

"Because of the snake? You believe it's
dangerous?" Bellona asked, her eyes shifting to my neck where Red lay.

"No. I believe the krait bit the boys in
self-defense. The krait and Anna have a symbiotic relationship, so an attack on
Anna is an attack on the krait. There are very few instances of krait bites on
Oxax. That is because the krait is basically lazy and nocturnal. And in this
krait's case, it has a readily available food source, so hunger doesn't drive it,"
Adela said. "I just think children will complicate the adjustment. Parents
can't help but worry about their own children, and they will have the priority.
I'd like Anna to be their priority."

"I think you're right. From reading Mira's
disciplinary reports, we know Anna got blamed in many of them. Her
presence
was cited as part of the
problem, although she did nothing and wasn't involved in those incidents."
She paused, her eyes meeting mine. "Anna, do you have a preference?"

"No, Your Honor," I said but then quickly
added, "so long as I can keep studying. I enjoy learning." I almost
added
so does Red
but knew that would
make me sound crazy. Bellona looked to Adela.

"Yes, I discussed it with the Bordans. They are
well-educated and liked the idea that Anna enjoys school. In fact, I think that
offset their natural concern about the krait."

"Good. Then it's settled. I'd appreciate you
keeping me informed of her progress, as it was my decision to let her be put
with another family. I could have had her sent to a government institution, but
I don't feel she should be punished for others’ actions. And I would appreciate
a letter from you now and then, Anna." She smiled and I could
feel
the affection behind the words.

"I’ll write, Your Honor," I said. I liked
her and knew she could be a friend if I would let her.

* * *

The next day, I was introduced to the Bordans, Carola
and Joshua. Their home, a two-story brick house, looked large from the outside.
The property was neat but not orderly. Carola was a middle-age woman, thin and
frail looking but with lots of energy, which was apparent when she talked. Her
short dark-brown hair had a few strands of grey, but her narrow face was smooth,
with green eyes that looked alive and inquisitive. Joshua looked average in
height and build, but his round face with its laugh lines around his brown eyes
gave him a friendly look.

"Welcome, Anna. We are looking forward to having
you and your companion staying with us," Joshua said as soon as we were
inside the house.

"Joshua!" Carola said, hitting him on the
arm. "That's not nice."

"Don't want to tippy toe around the subject for
days. Just want her to know she and her krait are welcome," Joshua said,
and looked to me. It was strange, but I was beginning to feel other people's
strong emotions. At first I thought it was my imagination, but over time I became
convinced it was real and wondered if maybe everyone could. Having no close
friends, I had no way of finding out. But Joshua's smile was warm, and he
didn't feel hostile. I liked the fact that he was being direct, so I reached
into my blouse and gently caught hold of Red and pulled him out. As I did, he
wrapped himself around my forearm with his head pointing in their direction as
if ready to be introduced.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bordans, I'd like to introduce my
companion, Red. He's lazy and spends most of his time inside my clothes or
wrapped around my neck. He never leaves my body, not even when I wash.
Actually, he seems to like the shower. He's poisonous. And although I've never
known him to bite anyone except when I was being attacked, I don't let people
touch him and try to be careful when they touch me. If it should happen, I have
the antivenin. It works, but you would be sick for a couple of days." I
held my arm up so they could see. Joshua leaned a little forward, as did Red.

"It ... he's very pretty," Carola said while
her eyes examined him from head to tail.

"Thank you, Anna. That's what Carola and I needed
to know—the rules. You have rules for us, and we will have rules for
you." After Adela left, Joshua and Carola gave me a tour of the house.
Compared to Koria House it was small, although the rooms were each a good size.
The living room looked comfortable, with two well-used lounge chairs, two
sofas, end tables, and an entertainment center. There was a small dining room
with a table and six chairs, a good-sized kitchen with a small alcove with a
table and two chairs, and three bedrooms
—
one
the Bordans', one converted into an office, and one which looked to be a guest
room.

"This one is yours, Anna," Carola said,
smiling although she felt apprehensive. "Do you like it?"

"It's wonderful ... thank you." I stared in
shock—my own room. It had a puffy looking bed, a night table with a lamp,
a clock, a dresser, closet, rugs on the floor, a computer and entertainment
center, and private bathroom. I was speechless as I walked around the room.
"Thank you ..." I repeated, tears in my eyes and not knowing what
else to say.

* * *

The next day, Joshua took me to a private school where
he taught and introduced me to the headmaster, Mr. Valerian.

"How old is she, Joshua? About nine? She should
be in the second quarter curriculum. As you know, we only teach third and
fourth quarter subjects."

"I'm aware of that Val, but she's special. I've
examined her records from Koria Hall, and she's ready for third quarter
subjects." Joshua said. "And because of her ... medication, a small
private school is the best environment." He grinned. I almost laughed.
Joshua had a good sense of humor. After an hour explaining Red and his
symbiotic relationship to me and the Coaca Virus, Valerian agreed to admit me
on a trial basis if I could pass the second-quarter test. He took me to an
empty classroom while Joshua went off to his first class.

"Anna, you will have two hours to finish the
test. You must get eighty of the one hundred questions right to pass. Do you
understand?"

"Yes, Mr. Valerian," I said. He waved me to
a small desk and gave me a tablet.

"Read the directions and if you have any
questions I'll answer them, otherwise, your two hours will begin when you click
on the
Start Test
button."

I sat and read the directions, which explained all the
things that constituted cheating.

"I'm ready, sir." I said and when he nodded
I clicked on
Start Test
and a small
clock appeared in the upper right corner. As I began reading, Red wound his way
into my hair so only his red head stuck out, resting on my forehead. The questions
appeared in groups: geography, reading comprehension, spelling, arithmetic, and
science. They seemed easy, and I finished in a little more than an hour and
handed the tablet back to him.

"That was very quick, Anna. You have almost an
hour left if you wish to review your answers or think about the ones you
skipped," he said looking concerned.

"No thank you, sir. I'm satisfied I've done my
best."

He shrugged and took the tablet, punched in something
and stood frowning at the screen.

"Have you seen or taken this test before?"
he asked his frown deepening.

"No, sir. But I've studied all of the material on
the test."

"You scored ninety-seven percent—"

"Sir, can I see what I missed?" I blurted
and leaned forward then quickly sat back. "Sorry."

"Why do you want to see the ones you
missed?" Now he looked and felt amused.

"So I don't make the same mistake again,
sir," I said. He laughed and handed the tablet back to me. I spent a few
minutes considering each question. I decided it was material I hadn't seen before
when I saw the answers. "Thank you, sir."

"You may join the third quarter curriculum,
Anna."

* * *

The next two years went by in a flash. I came to love
the Bordans. They treated me like a daughter and included me in all their
activities. If they had rules, I never heard them. I asked once, and Carola
said I didn't seem to need them. At school, I was a loner, which was nothing
new. At first most were interested in Red, and I answered all their questions.
But as time went on, the novelty wore off, and I was ignored. I think part of
the problem was the age difference. But it didn't help that I consistently
scored better than everyone except one boy, who took it as a challenge. I
didn't care, but he became furious when I would beat him on a test or score higher
on an assignment.

* * *

I stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the
school entrance, waiting for Joshua. It usually meant some student had delayed
him. Deep in thought, I didn't notice the ground vehicle until it had stopped
and the side door slid open. A man knelt holding a small black and white party-colored
puppy. It was adorable and not much bigger than the man's hand.

"Hey there. My dog just had five puppies. Would
you like one?" he asked. A feeling of wrongness washed over me. He was
lying. I was positive. But about what? I stepped back reflexively.

"They're free. Come have a look," he said in
a coaxing tone, holding the puppy higher. More lies. I retreated another couple
of steps. When he jumped out of the car, I spun around and dashed up the steps.
As I opened the door, I saw Joshua coming down the hall toward me.

"Sorry, Anna. Last minute questions," he
said, smiling.

When I turned around, the van had driven off. I
reached up and stroked Red.

"What's wrong? You look pale, and you're shaking."
He leaned over so his face was even with mine.

"A man in a car. He said he was giving away
puppies, but he was lying.".

"How do you know, Anna?"

"His look," I lied, but I had no other way
to explain that an adult would believe. I had come to the conclusion it had
something to do with Red. He didn't talk or do anything I could interpret as
communicating, but he was becoming more and more of a
presence
. I could feel it.

"You have good instincts, Anna. There are some
bad men out there who prey on children. They lure them into a car or van and
kidnap them. Let me know if you see them again."

I thought I saw the van once or twice in the school
parking lot, so I never waited on the steps again and stayed inside the doors.
I passed my third quarter and was moved into the fourth quarter curriculum.
There I was even more of an outcast with the much older teenagers. After a
couple of months, they ignored me so long as I was not heard from—so I
became invisible. The instructors caught on quickly and never called on me,
which helped. That made everyone happy.

* * *

We were sitting in the living room that evening,
having a typical after-dinner discussion. Joshua and Carola were reviewing the
laws of motion with me. I loved those talks because they went well beyond the
standard textbook explanations and simplistic examples. Joshua taught math and
physics, and Carola worked at a research company that designed shuttles.

"So, if my shuttle is accelerating at one hundred
gravities, how many meters per second per second?" she asked. We had been
discussing gravity for the past hour or more. I nibbled on my lip, eyes
downcast in thought. Carola had made it easy by using a hundred.

"Nine hundred seventy six meters per sec per
sec," I said tentatively, looking at Carola. She nodded.

"You have a good memory and—"

Suddenly the front door banged opened. A tall, thin
man stepped into the room. He slammed the door shut behind him and stood there
looking at each of us. Finally, his eyes settled on me, and he smiled. My heart
pounded in my chest when I saw his hands and face were blotched with brown
blisters, and I jumped to my feet.

"Run! Out the back and get the police," I
screamed at Joshua and Carola, pointing to the hallway that led to the back
door. As Joshua stood and took a step toward the man, I grabbed his arm to stop
him and pushed him away, pointing to the hallway. "He has the Coaca Virus.
Run! He can't infect me," I shouted as I ran toward the stranger.

The man smiled as I neared him. Halfway there, I
changed direction and headed for my bedroom. He wanted Red, not the Bordans. His
footfalls pounded behind me as he chased after me. I reached the door first,
slammed it shut, and fumbled with the lock, which I had never used before.
Neither Joshua nor Carola ever came in my room unless invited, not that it
would have mattered—I had nothing to hide. The mechanism clicked into the
locked position just as the man hit the door. He tried the doorknob for a
minute and when it wouldn't open, he then threw his weight against the door. It
shook with the force of the impact. I didn't think the door was going to hold
for long or that the man was going to go away. In desperation, I searched for
something to defend myself. Finding nothing suitable, I grabbed my bedside lamp
just as the wooden doorframe splintered and he burst through the door. He
laughed as he stalked toward me.

I swung the lamp, tearing the cord from the wall,
which slowed its momentum and reduced the force of the blow. The lamp glanced
off his face, tearing several blisters, and blood splattered everywhere. As I
pulled the lamp back for another blow, he slapped me. The impact spun me around
and into the wall. I stood against the wall, afraid to move—my head felt
dizzy and my legs weak.